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AC139- 6
GENERAL
Civil Aviation Safety Authority Advisory Circulars (AC) contains information about standards,
practices and procedures that the Director has found to be an Acceptable Means of Compliance
(AMC) with the associated rule.
An AMC is not intended to be the only means of compliance with a rule, and consideration will be
given to other methods of compliance that may be presented to the Director. When new standards,
practices or procedures are found to be acceptable, they will be added to the appropriate Advisory
Circular.
PURPOSE
This Advisory Circular provides methods, acceptable to the Director, for showing compliance with
the aerodrome requirements of Part 139 and for the guidance of non-certificated aerodrome
operators and explanatory material to assist in showing compliance.
RELATED CAR
This AC relates specifically to Civil Aviation Rule Part 91, 125, 135 and for the guidance of non-
certificated aerodrome operators and aircraft operators.
CHANGE NOTICE
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 — General
1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 In accordance with the requirements of Rule 125.81 and 135.77, Use of Aerodromes, no place may
be used as an aerodrome unless the place is suitable for the purpose of taking off or landing of the aircraft
concerned.
1.1.2 This advisory Circular, which is based on CAR Part 139 standards and requirements for aerodromes
and taking into account Papua New Guinea’s aviation environment, details the physical characteristics, the
types of equipment and installations, and the associated standards that are acceptable to the Director for
ensuring compliance with the requirements of Parts 125 and 135 for air operations and with Part 91 for
private operations of aeroplanes at or below 5700 kg MCTOW.
1.2 Applicability
1.2.1 This Advisory Circular provides an acceptable means of compliance to the aerodromes standards of
which Rule Part 139.5 (b) refers.
1.2.2 Operations at these aerodromes are limited to daylight hours and visual meteorological conditions
with aeroplanes at or below 5700 kg MCTOW>
1.2.3 Common features of these aerodromes are that the majority are located in remote areas, without
access to electrical power and with unpaved runways.
1.2.4 Definitions
For a complete list of aviation definitions refer to Civil Aviation Rule Part 1.
Aerodrome —
a) means any defined area of land or water intended or designed to be used either wholly or partly for
the landing, departure, and surface movement of aircraft; and
b) includes any buildings, installations, and equipment on or adjacent to any such area used in
connection with the aerodrome or its administration.
Aerodrome reference field length means the minimum field length required for an aircraft to take-off at
MCTOW, sea level, standard atmospheric conditions, still air, and zero runway slope.
Aerodrome reference aeroplane means the largest and/or most limiting aeroplane that the aerodrome is
designed to accommodate.
Air transport operation means, inter alia, an operation for the carriage of passengers or goods by air for
hire and reward except a commercial transport operation. This definition is sufficient for the context of
operations on PNG’s non-certificated aerodromes. Refer to Civil Aviation Rule Part 1 for a full definition.
Aircraft parking bay means a defined area on a land aerodrome intended to accommodate aircraft for the
purpose of loading or unloading passengers or cargo, refuelling, parking, or maintenance.
Air operation means, inter alia, an operation for the carriage of passengers or goods by air for hire or
reward, whether the operation is scheduled or unscheduled and where the passengers or goods are carried
to or from a remote aerodrome. This definition is sufficient for the context of PNG’s non-certificated
aerodromes. Refer to Civil Aviation Rule Part 1 for a full definition.
Displaced threshold means a threshold not located at the extremity of a runway.
Inner horizontal surface means a specified portion of a horizontal plane located above an aerodrome and
its immediate environment. This surface establishes the height above which it may be necessary to restrict
the creation of new obstacles, or remove or mark existing obstacles, to ensure the safety of aircraft visually
manoeuvring in the aerodrome circuit prior to landing.
Instrument runway means a runway intended for the operation of aircraft using instrument approach
procedures.
Manoeuvring area —
a) means that part of an aerodrome to be used for the take-off and landing of aircraft and for the
surface movement of aircraft associated with takeoff and landing; but
b) does not include areas set aside for loading, off-loading, or maintenance of aircraft.
Marker means an object displayed above ground level in order to indicate an obstacle or delineate a
boundary.
Marking means a symbol or group of symbols displayed on the surface of the movement area in order to
convey aeronautical information.
Movement area means that part of an aerodrome intended to be used for the take-off and landing of aircraft
and for the surface movement of aircraft, and includes the manoeuvring area, maintenance areas, and
aircraft parking bays.
Obstacle means all fixed (whether temporary or permanent) and mobile objects, or parts thereof, that are
located on an area intended for the surface movement of aircraft or that extend above a defined surface
intended to protect aircraft in flight.
Obstacle limitation surfaces mean defined areas about and above an aerodrome intended for the
protection of aircraft in the vicinity of an aerodrome.
Outer main gear wheel span means the distance between the outside edges of the main gear wheels.
Private operations mean that the aeroplane is used privately and is not carrying passengers or goods for
hire or reward.
Remote aerodrome means any structure or area of land or water used for take-off or landing –
a) to which access by road or water is restricted, limited or obstructed by geographical conditions; and
b) that does not meet the standards for aerodromes that are acceptable to the Director under Part 139.
Runway means a defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of
aircraft.
Runway strip means a defined area including the runway, and stopway (if a stopway is provided), that is
intended -
a) to reduce the risk of damage to an aircraft running off the runway; and
b) to provide obstacle protection for aircraft flying over the runway strip during takeoff or landing
operations:
Runway starter extension means an additional runway length made available for take-off, prior to the
normal runway end at the commencement of the takeoff run.
Surface category means a number or letter corresponding to the MCTOW of an aircraft, its wheel
configuration and tyre pressures if the system is used.
Taxiway means a defined path on a land aerodrome established for the taxiing of aircraft and intended to
provide a link between one part of the aerodrome and another.
Threshold means the beginning of that portion of the runway usable for landing.
Slopes on runways
2.1.8 The average slope over the length of the runway should not exceed 1:50 (2%) for a two directional
runway or 1:6 (17%) for a one directional runway.
2.1.9 Where local slope changes occur along the length of a runway, they should not exceed 1:5 (20%).
2.1.10 Where slope transitional changes cannot be avoided, the air operator needs to assess the affect of
the transitional slope of the operational of the specific aircraft type (i.e. to avoid such conditions as tail strike).
2.1.11 The transverse slope should be such as to prevent the collection of water at any point and to this
end should not exceed 1:16 (6%).
2.4 Taxiways
General
2.4.1 Aerodromes are not required to have a aircraft parking bay and consequently are not required to
have a taxiway. However, if a taxiway is constructed it should have the following characteristics
Width of taxiways
2.4.2 The width of a taxiway should be 7.5 m.
Surface of taxiways
2.4.3 The surface of a taxiway should not have irregularities that may cause damage to the aeroplane
structure.
2.4.4 The profile of the taxiway should facilitate water drainage away from the taxiway.
Strength of taxiways
2.4.5 The strength of a taxiway should be at least equal to that of the runway it serves.
Slope on taxiways
2.4.6 The surface of the strip should be flushed at the edge of the taxiway and the graded portion should
not have an upward transverse slope exceeding 1:40 (2.5 %).The upward slope being measured with
reference to the transitional slope of the adjacent taxiway surface and not the horizontal.
2.4.7 The downward transverse slope should not exceed 1:40 (2.5 %) measured with reference to the
horizontal.
2.4.8 The transverse slopes on any portion of a taxiway strip beyond that to be graded should not exceed
an upward slope of 1:40 (2.5 %) as measured in the direction away from the taxiway.
2.5.3 The surface of the aircraft parking bay should not have irregularities that may cause damage to
aeroplane structures.
Strength of aircraft parking bay
2.5.4 The strength of the aircraft parking bay should be at least equal to that of the runway and taxiway it
serves.
Slope of aircraft parking bay
2.5.5 Slopes on aircraft parking bays should be sufficient to prevent accumulation of water on the surface
of the aircraft parking bay but should be kept as level as drainage requirements permit.
2.6 Fencing
General
2.6.1 Fencing is not required however, based on volume and risk factors, consideration could be given to
fencing the aerodrome in order to prevent animals and deter people from entering the runway strip or aircraft
parking bay area during aircraft operations.If aircraft traffic demands then there should be further safeguards
to mitigate the hazards imposed on safety and security at an aerodrome.
2.6.3 Aerodromes may be fenced round the runway strip and aircraft parking bay area if considered
necessary in the interest of safety and security.
Type of fence
2.6.4 The recommended fence is a 1.2 m high, pig proof fence.
2.7 Drainage
General
2.7.1 PNG’s non-certificated aerodromes are usually served with unpaved runways which are prone to
surface erosion and soft wet surfaces during periods of heavy rain.
2.7.2 Aerodromes should have open unlined drains constructed outside the flight strip to drain water away
from affected areas of the runway strip.
2.7.3 Aerodromes should have a minimum degree of camber, not to exceed 1:40 (2.5 %), to facilitate
runoff of surface moisture to the open unlined drains outside the flight strip.
2.7.4 Where required it is recommended that herringbone or fishbone drains are in place along the length
of the airstrip, and therefore allowing surface water to more easily drain into the open unlined drains.
5.1.5 The windsock should be in the form of a truncated cone made of fabric. It should be coloured white,
yellow or light orange and constructed so that it gives a clear indication of the direction of the surface wind
and a general indication of wind speed when seen from a height of 300 m (1,000 ft).
5.1.6 The circle around the wind indicator must be 15 meters diameter, blackened and the boundary
marked with painted white stones or cone markers.
Displaced threshold
5.2.3 On unpaved runways, displaced threshold markers should be indicated by a row of 3 cones on either
side of a runway at right angles to the centreline, located at the beginning of that portion of the runway
useable for landing, as indicated in figure 5-4.
Note: The portion of runway between the runway end markers and the displaced threshold is not
available for landing
Taxiway markers
5.2.5 Taxiway edge markers, consisting of cone markers should be provided in pairs every 10m along
both long sides of the taxiway. Refer to figure 5.6 for an example of taxiway markers at an unpaved runway.
5.2.6 Taxiway commencement markers should consist of 3 yellow cones, shaped in a small L. Similar to
the L array for runway edge markers, the taxiway commencement markers will assist pilots to locate the
taxiway coming off the runway, and also when leaving the aircraft parking bay for the runway. Refer to figure
5-6.
CHAPTER 6 — Maintenance
6.1 Performance Standards – All Aerodromes
General
6.1.1 Aerodrome maintenance is critical to ensure that the physical characteristics outlined in Chapter 2
are preserved, and that the safety of flight operations at aerodromes is not put at risk.
6.1.2 For aerodromes in Papua New Guinea one of the most critical maintenance requirements is the
control of the growth of vegetation. Long grass on runways can significantly affect aircraft performance,
slowing aircraft acceleration during take-off run, and using more runway distance to reach take off safety
speed. Shrubs and trees growing through the obstacle limitation surface at either end of the runway become
hazards to aircraft taking off and landing.
Maintenance responsibility
6.1.3 The responsibility for maintenance is with the aerodrome operator, but can be contracted as
appropriate.
Table of performance standards
6.1.4 The following table of maintenance performance standards prescribes the standards that should be
met at all non-certificated aerodromes, unless otherwise stated.
5 Taxiway & aircraft parking Same as for runways; maintained below 240 mm
bay – grass height ( if
applicable)
6 Obstacle limitation Shrubs and trees maintained below the obstacle limitation
surfaces surfaces
Note - The obstacle limitation surfaces begin from the end of
runway strip extending vertically and laterally at 1:20 (5%) from
runway strip end.
10 Fencing (if applicable) Free of vegetation around fence posts and wires
Maintained animal proof
No. Items
Note:
1. Runway reference field length is dependent on the design aircraft or the aerodrome reference
aeroplane that has been nominated to use the aerodrome at MCTOW, standard atmosphere,
still air, sea level and zero runway slope.
2. Runway width requirement may vary depending upon operating aircraft requirements. Refer to
2.1.1.